"Our annual PEEC-A-BOO event is a non-scary, family-oriented event full of fun and educational stations on a guided trail. The guided trail will include several fall and Halloween nature-themed stations," said Jessica Snyder, camps, events and volunteer manager. "In addition, the event will also include games, snacks and a glow-in-the-dark maze."

PEEC-A-BOO is held 4 to 7 p.m. Oct. 27 with a rain date of Oct. 28. For information, 570-828-2319 or peec.org.

Maybe a little tea is more your speed. How about the Portland Hook and Ladder's annual Witches Tea?

"It's a fundraiser for the fire company. We will have vendors, especially with fall and Halloween themes," said Nancy Knott, community member and supporter. "We are serving finger foods, baked goods, punch, coffee and tea. Last year was so well attended, even in the snowstorm."

The event will be held noon to 4 p.m. Oct. 20 at Pensyl Social Hall, 116 State St., Portland.

Tables can be reserved, and groups can sit together. The theme for this year's tea is "Moonlight and Magic."

"We didn't have vendors last year, but we will this year. And there will be a tricky tray," Knott said. "Money raised goes to Portland Hook and Ladder. We raised about $1,000 last year. The fee is $10 a person, or $5 if you bring a dish to share."

If really scary is your thing, there are a few options. The Lake House in Saylorsburg is home to two walk-through haunted house attractions that will have you sleeping with the lights on for a few nights. Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares will make you scream and run for the exit.

"There are three attractions — two walk-through haunted houses and the Exhibition Macabre, which is a static display with a live person giving you explanations," said Marlo Ambrosio, owner of Hotel of Horror and Altered Nightmares. "We recommend teens and older. We are generally an older-crowd haunted house."

In addition to all the costumed characters in the house, there have been reports that some spirits also took up residence in the Lake House. But Ambrosio said, "I have never felt any kind of threats or uncomfortable force."

Even if you've visited the attractions in the past, that doesn't mean you've seen it all. Each year, they offer a different theme and new sets. This year, the house is running with the doomsday theme.

While the goal of the two attractions is to scare you, they are no-touch haunted houses.

Combo tickets for both Altered Nightmares and Hotel of Horror is $30. Just Altered Nightmares is $15 and just Hotel of Horror is $20. They are open Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and Halloween night. For information, visit hotelofhorror.com.

Still in the mood for some screaming? Terror on the Mountain at Blue Mountain Ski Area can help with that.

"The zombie apocalypse is under way, and it's pretty gruesome," said Heidi Lutz, marketing director at Blue Mountain in Palmerton. "We've set up a butcher shop and turned our lodge into a meat locker for human flesh."

Terror on the Mountain is not for the younger family members. But Blue Mountain Ski Area didn't forget about them. Mountain Harvest Festival is a four-acre corn maze, scavenger hunt and pumpkin patch hayride for the whole family.

For information, visit terroronthemountain.com or bluemountainharvestfestival.com.

Lehman Township's annual Halloween trail, in its fifth year, has been so popular that it will span two weekends this year instead of just one.

"We have a candy trail and a scary trail. They are completely separate things," said Paul Menditto, township supervisor. "There are people, props and animatronics on the scary trail. Our goal is to scare people on that trail. The candy trail is for younger kids. They get to do games and activities along the trail and get candy."

There will also be nonprofit vendors selling food, and a DJ playing music.

"It's a family event. They can come in costumes, but we don't want to see any vulgarity or anything offensive. Scary is good. Offensive is not," Menditto said. "Our goal is to have a good time."

The event runs Oct. 19-20 and 26-27 in Lehman Community Park in Bushkill. For information, call 570-588-9365, or visit lehmantownship.com.

"The night hikes are a family program geared toward families with young children," said Darryl Speicher, environmental educator. "Instead of the traditional guys in hockey masks running around with chain saws, it's about what you might encounter in the woods. It's not a haunted hike. It's an educational experience."

There are about seven stops along the hike. The last stop is the trash graveyard. Each stop includes a fun, educational lesson different from the last.

"We encourage people to come. Guided walks lead every 15 minutes starting at 5:30 p.m.," Speicher said. "The center will be decorated, and there will be refreshments and hands-on activities for the kids."

For information and to register in advance, 570-629-3061 or mcconservation.org.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.